Tapa Cloth Item Number: 1060/80 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Rectangular tapa cloth with designs in red-brown and orange-brown on natural coloured ground. The designs consist of wide rows of squares with abstract geometric motifs in red-brown. The space between the motifs is filled with orange-brown lines. Along one back edge a silver ribbon is sewn.
History Of Use
The documentation from the Sisters of Saint Ann Museum says this is either a "chief's loin robe" or a mat.
Specific Techniques
The tapa was made from a tree's inner bark and the designs were made with stencils.
Narrative
This was possibly collected by Mr. Warren Bell of Vancouver and acquired in 1934, according to old documentation from the Sisters of Saint Ann Museum.
Item History
- Made in Fiji before 1934
- Owned by Sisters of Saint Ann Museum
- Owned by B.C. Provincial Museum before September 6, 1985
- Received from B.C. Provincial Museum (Transferring institution) on September 6, 1985
What
- Name
- Tapa Cloth
- Identification Number
- 1060/80
- Type of Item
- tapa cloth
- Material
- mulberry bark and paint
- Overall
- height 140.0 cm, width 86.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Fijian
- Previous Owner
- Sisters of Saint Ann Museum and B.C. Provincial Museum
- Received from
- B.C. Provincial Museum (Transferring institution)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Fiji
When
- Creation Date
- before 1934
- Ownership Date
- before September 6, 1985
- Acquisition Date
- on September 6, 1985
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 1060/0080